Hope Gardens Family Center Opens
Veronica Duran-Ramirez, 35, cries as she recalls ending up on the streets after fleeing an abusive relationship. Now she and her two children live at Hope Gardens Family Center in the Sylmar foothills. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Daniel Koleshchuk, 8, sits on his bed as his mother, Olga, makes hers at Hope Gardens. The center provides a transitional home for single mothers while they learn job skills that will help them regain their financial footing, away from the dangers of skid row. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Veronica Duran-Ramirez and daughter Maria Gonzalez, 10, have their own bedrooms at the center. Veronica hopes to become a cardiac technician. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Maria Gonzalez holds an old shoe. After moving to Hope Gardens Family Center, she was given new ones. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Bobby Perez, 7, looks out his bedroom window. He and his family lived on the streets for six months. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Bobby Perez reads in his bedroom at the center, which opened June 27 after a long political battle with residents who didnt want a homeless shelter in their midst. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Betty Green, 65, walks on the grounds of Hope Gardens Family Center, where she is a resident. (Francine Orr / LAT)